Iconic Halloween Film Locations Around the Country

The scary ‘Black Hills Forest’ of the 1999 horror film where the Blair Witch haunts a small Maryland town is actually Seneca Creek State Park. Today, you can go picnicking, kayaking, rent boats + enjoy the scenic Seneca Creek all without the fear of witches! 45 minutes away, the town of Burkittsville, in which the legend of the Blair Witch originated in the film, has had an on-going relationship with fans ever since.

Dawn of the Dead

Monroeville Mall, Monroeville, Pennsylvania

Photo by Van Terry

The Monroeville Mall in Pennsylvania is the sight of cult-classic, Dawn of the Dead (1979). Two Philadelphia S.W.A.T team members, a traffic reporter + his television executive girlfriend seek refuge in a secluded mall from flesh-eating zombies. Dawn of the Dead is considered to be one of the best zombie movies + has a 93% approval rating on the movie critic website, Rotten Tomatoes. Today, the mall reminds visitors of its past as the sight of this famous movie by offering zombie laser tag, official plaques + “The Living Dead Weekend” coming up in June 2019 celebrating the iconic film!

The Shining

Timberline Lodge, Mt. Hood, Oregon

Photo courtesy of the Timberline Lodge

Set as the fictional, isolated hotel called the Overlook Hotel in the 1980 film, The Shining. Although the film takes place in Colorado, the actual hotel, Timberline Lodge is located on Mount Hood in Northern Oregon. Contrary to common belief, only the exterior was used in the film. The majority of The Shining was filmed at Elstree Studios in Hertfordshire, England which was used for the interior scenes.

The Sixth Sense

St. Augustine’s Catholic Church, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Photo courtesy of livethemovies.com

Although the majority of M. Night Shyamalan’s 1999 film, The Sixth Sense, was filmed in the city of Philadelphia (also where the story takes place), we choose to highlight St. Augustine’s Church. St. Augustine’s church is where the audience sees Cole Sear (Haley Joel Osment) + Dr. Malcolm Crowe (Bruce Willis) meet for the first time. Additionally, this church is where Cole seeks refuge from his demons. Take a trip to Philly + travel to each of the filming locations (especially St. Augustine’s Church)!

Rosemary’s Baby

The Dakota, New York, New York

This historic apartment building is the set of the fictional building, The Bramford in the 1968 film, Rosemary’s Baby. In the film, The Bramford is known for its dark past + is coincidentally where Rosemary (Mia Farrow) conceives the child of Satan. Additionally, The Dakota is the same apartment building where John Lennon + Yoko Ono once lived and is also the location of John Lennon’s murder in 1980.

The Exorcist

Georgetown, Washington, D.C.

Photo by Jenee O

This set of steps located in the Georgetown neighborhood of Washington D.C. is the backdrop for the scene in The Exorcist (1973) where Father Karras plummets seventy-five steps to his death, ultimately sacrificing himself to kill the demon, Pazuzu. Today, the steps are commemorated with a plaque + attract movie lovers for a perfect selfie spot.

The Texas Chainsaw Massacre

The Gas Station, Bastrop, Texas

Photo curtesy of The Gas Station

This gas station, turned barbecue joint, is the location of the 1974 horror classic, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre. Here, a group of ill-fated friends discover that this “gas station” doesn’t sell gas at all + must escape a killer cannibal who wears a flesh-skin mask. The gas station turned into a barbecue restaurant in 2016 + sells horror film memorabilia. Definitely capitalizing on the theme of murder, the restaurant has a sign hanging outside saying “We Slaughter”.

Stand By Me

Lake Britton Bridge, Burney, California

Photo by Craig Philpott

Set in 1950s small town Oregon, Stand By Me (1986) uses the Lake Britton Bridge in Burney, California as the location where the boys, off to find a dead body, attempt to cross this train bridge. Based on Stephen King’s thriller, “The Body”, Stand By Me trails a group of young boys as they make the decision to find this body and get caught up in a series of misadventures, ultimately embarking on a journey that defined each of their lives.